Lemon Zest

74 W Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra Madre, CA 91024

Passed · Sep 10, 2026 Directions
66
Poor BiteKarma score 66 out of 100
How the BiteKarma score works

Each routine inspection starts at 100 and loses 7 points for every critical violation and 2 for every other one, half again as much when the same problem was cited at one of the two inspections before. A failed inspection counts as 69 at most. The score averages the five newest routine inspections, with the most recent counting most, and stays below 70 for 90 days after a fail unless the restaurant passes again. 90 and up is excellent, 80s good, 70s fair, and below 70 poor.

At a glance

  • Passed 4 of 4 graded inspections since 2023.
  • Last inspected Sep 10, 2026: passed with 11 violations, 1 critical.
  • Keeps coming up: Food-contact surfaces: clean and sanitized, cited 2 times, plus 7 other repeat issues.
  • 5 critical violations in the last two years.

Inspection history 4 visits

  1. 2026
  2. Passed Sep 10

    Routine Inspection

    11 violations, 1 critical
    • Critical Food-contact surfaces: clean and sanitized
    • Minor Floors, walls and ceilings properly built, maintained and clean
    • Minor Food properly labeled and honestly presented
    • Minor Equipment/utensils approved: installed; good repair; capacity
    • Minor Adequate handwashing facilities; supplied and accessible
    • Minor Plumbing: fixtures, backflow device, drainage
    • Minor Permits available
    • Minor Demonstration of knowledge
    • Minor No insects, rodents, birds or animals present
    • Minor Food safety certification
    • Minor Toxic substances properly identified, stored, and used
  3. Passed Apr 24

    Routine Inspection

    12 violations, 2 critical
    • Critical Food-contact surfaces: clean and sanitized
    • Critical Food in good condition, safe and unadulterated
    • Minor Floors, walls and ceilings properly built, maintained and clean
    • Minor Premises; personal/cleaning items; vermin-proofing
    • Minor Demonstration of knowledge
    • Minor Impoundment/voluntary condemn and dispose (VC&D)/sampling
    • Minor Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
    • Minor Adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas, use
    • Minor Food storage; food storage containers identified
    • Minor Multiple major critical violations /increased risk to public health
    • Minor Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained; used; test equipment
    • Minor Plumbing: fixtures, backflow device, drainage
  4. 2025
  5. Passed Nov 10

    Routine Inspection

    9 violations, 2 critical
    • Critical Food in good condition, safe and unadulterated
    • Critical Time as a public health control; procedures and records
    • Minor Demonstration of knowledge
    • Minor Thermometers provided and accurate
    • Minor Hot and cold water available
    • Minor Plumbing: fixtures, backflow device, drainage
    • Minor Multiple major critical violations /increased risk to public health
    • Minor Adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas, use
    • Minor Food safety certification
  6. 2023
  7. Passed Dec 28

    Routine Inspection

    4 violations
    • Minor Nonfood-contact surfaces clean and in good repair
    • Minor Food separated and protected
    • Minor Adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas, use
    • Minor Floors, walls and ceilings: properly built, maintained in good repair and clean

Nearby

BiteKarma scores around Lemon Zest, which is the dark pin. Zoom in to see the dots' scores, and tap a pin marked + to see everything at that address.

  1. 98 The Bottle Shop Wine Tasting 50 ft
  2. 90 Monsieur Crepe Cafe 100 ft
  3. 92 Bess 150 ft
  4. 91 Yui Restaurant 250 ft
  5. 90 The Only Place In Town 300 ft